It had to happen sometime, I suppose. And truthfully, it may have been me — maybe I’m a little off my game. But my latest try-on from Athleta, the one where I ordered AllTheThings! In multiple colors! was…underwhelming.
It was one of those times where everything just seemed off. The fits felt slightly outdated, the fabrics weren’t drapey/cozy/flattering enough, and the colors, while cute enough, were more miss than hit with my skin tone.
This try-on wasn’t terrible — it just wasn’t…great. The word I’m looking for here is meh. It was meh.
Athleta Try-On Results: 2 Winter Outfit Wins…But Even More Misses
That said, there are two pieces that are so freaking good, I almost overlooked them out of ennui. And these pieces are now ones I cannot stop wearing. One is bananas cozy and I keep getting compliments, and the other?
Turns my bum into a work of art. With a frame.
The question now: Do I start with these two standout pieces or…do I make y’all suffer through my whole boring try-on?
Screw it. I pick suffer.
Cut To The Chase: The 2 Best Athleta Pieces Are Cold-Weather Essentials
Gah, I couldn’t do it. No one has time for my nonsense, so let’s get right to the good stuff. The two standout pieces are two pairs of pants that, if you live somewhere where winter = cold, are game-changers.
Also, I’m still trying to figure out my selfie situation up here in Vermont, so these photos are ROUGH. (And, yes, I need to clean my mirror.) I’d normally re-shoot the whole darn thing, but many of these pieces are on sale, so let’s just file this one under a 2023 goal of letting go of perfection, mmmkay?
1. Athleta Aprés Ski Joggers (White or Black)
top (S) | pants (2P) | boots | hat
Athleta’s aprés-ski joggers are bananas good. They’re cozy, warm and seriously cute. And while I love the whole monochromatic vibe here, there’s enough texture to mix with black as well.
top (S) | jacket (S) | pants (2P) | boots | hat
They’re available in regular, petite and tall lengths, and the back is regular (albeit thick) jogger material.
Bottom line? They’re great. Functional and fun — something different from usual joggers, with a decidedly aprés vibe (turns out, they’re aptly named). I really should follow up with a few ways to wear these pants (even ski sweaters look cute with them).
2. Athleta Rainier Bootcut Pants
fleece (S) | pants (S petite) | boots | hat
The other standout piece from my try-on? Athleta’s Rainier Bootcut Pants. And while Athleta describes them as pants, they’re basically bootcut leggings. These leggings are, however, lined in fleece and have some sort of compression that feels supportive rather than squeezy. They’re so supportive, in fact, that they’re almost a relief to wear. The bum is epic (lifts and sculpts), and I found that my regular size fits the best.
I also appreciate that these bootcut leggings are designed to fit a little shorter for walking in snow (again with the aprés-ski vibe), and they fit nicely over my snow boots. They’re also available in regular, petite and tall lengths, and go up to 3X.
This is the outift I’m almost always wearing to school pickup.
fleece (S) | jacket (S) | pants (S petite) | boots | hat
Now…The Rest of The Athleta Try-On
In no particular order…a few pieces with potential and a few fails.
If You’re Tall: Athleta Cozy Karma Funnel-Neck Sweatshirt
sweatshirt (S) | pants (S petite) | shoes
I had high hopes for this sweatshirt: It’s lined in fleece and wonderfully cozy and warm. It even has good lines in the sleeves and a delightfully swingy shape. It’s just…wayyyyyy too long on me (I”m 5’3″).
sweatshirt (S) | pants (S petite) | shoes
Almost: Athleta Get Set Sweatshirt
sweatshirt (S) | pants (2P) | shoes
I’m still waiting for Athleta to come out with a fresh sweatshirt shape. Something short and boxy and modern, and the Get Set Sweatshirt was allllllmost it. On the model, it definitely looks like what I’m describing, but in reality it’s a little too in between — not quite short enough (although shorter than most of Athleta’s stuff), not quite boxy enough (although still fairly boxy).
That said, the fabric is great — very technical and cool, with swishy-fabric panels on the shoulders.
Still didn’t love it.
sweatshirt (S) | pants (2P) | shoes
P.S. Can we talk about these shoes??? They’re Nobull’s new merino wool running shoes, and they come in the coolest, chicest colors. These shoes are basically what I always wanted Allbirds to look like. Love ’em.
Eh, Not Me: Athleta Aprés Ski Collection (In Blue)
There is nothing technically wrong with Athleta’s aprés-ski collection. And the blue (Heron Blue) is a pretty color. It just dawned on me, as I looked in the mirror, that everything about this felt too…hard. Emotionally, I’m not ready to face the morning dressing around sky blue anything.
It’s not you, it’s me.
P.S. The mock-neck shirt is fine. Not great — more shirt than sweatshirt — but fine.
Nope: Athleta Altitude Polartec Jacket
jacket (S) | pants (2P) | shoes
I think…I think Athleta was going for its version of Lululemon’s Scuba Zip-Front Jacket, which is fan-freaking-tastic. More on that piece another time, but I give it a solid five stars. It’s wildly amazing — run out and get it. Love, love, LOVE.
This Athleta jacket? Oof.
It’s like the Athleta designers couldn’t decide if they wanted it long or short, fitted or boxy…and then they went halfway on the collar. That said, this jacket is made from a super-soft, super-cozy Polartec fleece, and has 115 five-star reviews.
jacket (S) | pants (2P) | shoes
Even so, I’m still not a fan.
It’s Fine: Athleta Retroplush Sweatsuits
sweatshirt (S) | pants (S petite) | shoes
The Retroplush sweatshirt and velvety sweatpants combine into a perfectly functional sweatsuit. It’s comfy, it’s cute. It’s…black? It’s wide-legged? Now I’m just describing the photo — I literally cannot think of anything else to say. If you need a classic black sweatsuit, this one is great. There’s even a stripe down the side:
sweatshirt (S) | pants (S petite) | shoes
Meh: Rustic Beige
sweatshirt (S) | pants (S petite) | shoes
Same exact sweatpants as above but in Rustic Beige. And are they better in Rustic Beige?
Hmm. Not on me.
sweatshirt (S) | pants (S petite) | shoes
Nope: Athleta Sweater Pants (Still Trying With The Rustic Beige)
sweatshirt (S) | pants (S petite) | shoes
While most of the pieces in this try-on just had some small, vague thing that was off, these sweater-like pants had everything wrong: color, fit & fabric.
Admittedly, this beige color is pretty and would look great on someone else. But the fabric of these pants feel funny (fake, in a weird kind of way), and there’s a weird crotch situation, which, now that I bring it up, I know everyone is going to scroll back up and stare at my crotch.
Eh, it’s the job.
That’s it! And I swear I’ll have some photos in real clothes, soon, Gang. But it’s so snowy and pretty outside right now, and those joggers are lined in fleeeeece…..
xo,
S
 left me swooning.){kind=link}
Do you think the apres ski jogger would work as your under bibs for skiing layer?
It would fit under my looser Burton bibs. That said…it would fit similarly to any slim-fitting jogger – not that great. They’re definitely more pants than leggings.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has been unenthused by Athleta’s latest offerings (and even some of their not-so-latest–I perused their big sale and couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger on anything, even with great prices).
Laura!! I just saw you on my TV!!!! I live in Oregon!
Aww haha yes! I’m so glad you caught it! Hi!!
Just swung by here for the first time and I have to tell you you this, and you’re not going to like it, but you look amazing in the sky blue – the black kills you by comparison!!!